The news spread across the castle in a heartbeat. The Golden Couple broke up. How did it happen? Why did it happen? What was going on between two best friends that they weren't able to look at each other? There were theories. Multiple different theories passed round the castle, repeated, changed and passed round again.

'I have to admit.' Ron started, catching his best friend right after their training. 'You two played it brilliantly.'

'What?'

'Your break up of course!' He said with excitement in his voice. 'It's a masterpiece. Did you plan it from the beginning?'

'I suppose' He answered with a grimace on his face. Bullshit. Nothing went as they had planned. Everything went wrong. Everything was messed up.

'How long do you think I should wait until I start things with her?'

'It's not my business any more.' He said as he entered the castle, pushing the door much harder than necessarily. 'It's up to you two to sort your stuff out.'

'Right, but did she tell you something about… ekh… you know… me?'

'She said nothing.' He lied.

'Ok, so what do you think?'

'What do I think? I think both of us should leave her alone and let her figure out what on Earth does she really want.'

Ron stopped and looked at Harry with surprise. Did something really happen between his two best friends? No, it wasn't possible. Harry told him everything right before the Valentine's Party and they broke things off that night. What could have happened to make him so angry?

They continued their walk to the common room in complete silence. Ron was trying to figure out how to start a conversation again but he failed. Something was wrong but how can he find out what exactly? Could he just talk to Hermione? Could he just ask her? It wouldn't be hard one day but she was really hard to find these days. As they passed the Fat Lady he looked around the room but she just wasn't there. He wasn't surprised. She was never around any more.

'Do you have any idea when she hides?'

'There's an empty classroom on the fifth floor, next to this statue of wizard with a globe in his hand.' He said wondering if she would be very mad at him for revealing her safe place. Did it even matter now? 'I guess she can be there but you can check the library as well.'

'Thanks, mate.' He said a bit off the track as he noticed pain in Harry's eyes. Was he really hurt by all of this? Was it possible that he had a genuine feelings for Hermione? And what would it mean for their friendship? 'Do you mind if I go and look for her?'

'Go' Harry said, forcing a smile.' Find her and make her happy. She deserves it and so do you.'

'Ekm... thanks, mate.' He answered surprised by the sudden change in Harry's attitude. 'I'll do my best.'

Ron found the classroom in less than ten minutes. He has never noticed this door earlier although he passed this corridor almost every day. He stopped right in front of the entrance and hesitated. Was he doing the right think? What was he going to tell her? Should he prepare his speech before? Should he back off for a little longer or maybe he waited too long to make his move?

'Be brave! You're the lion after all!' He whispered to himself and put his hand on the handle. Was she even there?

'Hey, you!' Ron said noticing Hermione who was sitting on the pillow in the back of the room.

'Hey' She answered, looking at him with her sad, teary eyes. He took a place next to her and look ahead.

'You hide yourself pretty good. If it wasn't for Harry, I would have never found you.' He admitted, trying to pretend that he didn't hear her sniffing.

'Maybe it would be better that way.'

'Blimey, Hermione. Harry told me everything, you don't have to play your role any more.'

'I'm not playing anything right now, I just need some space.' Why he couldn't just leave her alone?

'Come on, I'm not going to tease you about this stupid idea you and Harry had. I know I tend to be thick but I want to do the right thing now.' He wanted to be sincere with her. He realized he hurt her feelings snogging around with Lavender, but it was over. He was more mature now.

'It may be a little too late, Ronald.'

'Are you trying to punish me or give me a lesson?' He wondered. What was it all about? 'Please, stop crying.'

'I can't!' She said louder than she intended. 'I can't stop crying, ok?'

'And for the record why are you crying right now?'

'Because he dumped me.'

'What? Who?'

'Harry!' She said, fresh tears running down her cheeks.

'But he said it wasn't for real.'

'Because it wasn't' She agreeded. 'But it's just... It's just felt like it was.'


'Harry' Hermione whispered, shaking his arm. 'Harry, please wake up!'

'What's going on?' He asked awaking from his dream. He was looking in the darkness with eyes half open. She handed him his glasses.

'Can we talk?'

'What's the time?'

'I don't know, about 2 am I think.' She said surprised with his question.

'2 am' He repeated, shaking his head. 'What's happened?'

'Nothing, I just want to talk to you.'

'At 2 am?'

'You've been avoiding me lately.' She accused him.

'Hermione, we can talk in the morning.'

'I miss you Harry.' She said, nervously playing with her fingers.

'I promised you we will be friends again and that haven't changed, just give me a week or two to take a breath from all this madness.'

'I want to kiss you.' She revealed. She had enough. She was determined to do something, anything to make things right.

'Hermione, stop!' He pulled back but she didn't move.

'All I can think about is kissing you.' She admitted, placing her hand on his arm. He looked her in the eyes. Even in the darkness, they were shining with tears. He tried his best not to hug her but he failed. Her trembling body pressed against his, he felt her tears falling on his bare skin.

'Shh' He mumbled, moving his fingers across her back. 'Everything will be fine.' He kept repeating over and over again.

'And how do you know that?' She asked eventually, sniffing.

'I just do.'

'You must think I'm insane after all of this.'

'Oh, I've known you're insane from the beginning. You befriended me. Sane people wouldn't do this.' He smiled.

'Harry, are we ever going to be normal after everything I put you through?' She asked, gathering all her willpower to free herself from his safe embrace.

He shrugged. What does it even mean? They looked each other in the eyes for a while.

'I want it to.' He gave up eventually.

'What?'

'I want to kiss you too.' He said and so he did.


The end.

Thanks a lot to all of you for taking your time to read my little story. I wouldn't have dreamt so many people would ever read it.